William A. Meyer, 29, an American-born citizen, who is self-styled successor to Heinz Spanknoebel, discredited Nazi leader in the United States, has been busily engaged in mobilization of the pro-German forces in this country. “By an agreement reached by district leaders,” Mr. Meyer said that he was named to head the Friends of New Germany movement.
Mr. Meyer was born in Union City, New Jersey. He was educated in a theological seminary, but did not complete his studies and entered the chocolate business. Later he opened a book shop at Hoboken which did not prosper.
His present income is derived from his “work in connection with the organization,” he told this correspondent. The membership contributes one dollar per head per month, and comprises, according to Mr. Meyer, “some of the eminent Americans of German extraction.” He said that he would not divulge their names because they are employed by Jewish firms and might possibly be deprived of their positions if discovered.
The leader of Friends of New Germany outlined as the objectives of the organization the following purposes:
1—To combat the Jewish boycott against German-made goods.
2—To maintain friendly relations between the United States and Germany.
3—”To interpret to the American people the real facts regarding New Germany.”
Mr. Meyer together with twenty followers recently displayed a swastika banner at a meeting held in Hoboken. Ostensibly the purpose of the gathering had been to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Mussolini’s march on Rome, but addresses were delivered by the Meyer retinue denouncing the Jews for projecting a boycott.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
